Refrigeration control means



March 31, 1936. v, W. MCODY 2,035,755

REFRIGERATION CQN'ROL MEANS Filed NOV. 50, 1934 INVENTOR.

. A RNEY.

Patented Mar. 3l, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE Reynolds MetalsCompany, New York, N. Y., a y corporation of Delaware ApplicationNovember 30, V1934:, Serial No. 755,338

16 Claims.

The present invention has to do with a refrigerating system and relatesparticularly to a means and mechanism for circulating a heattransferring liquid between compartments at predetermined 5 regulatedintervals of time.

The present invention has similarities to an apparatus illustrated in anapplication for Letters Patent in the name of Virginius W. Moody, SerialNumber 677,006, filed June 22, 1933, issued as Patent No. 2,001,105, May14, 1935, and entitled Refrigerator and temperature control device, andis a continuation in part of an application of the same Virginius W.Moody, Serial Number 701,789, entitled Refrigeration control means, andfiled Dez', cember ll, 1933.

The objects of the present invention include, among others, theprovision of the following:

A circulatory system for a refrigerating apparatus causing a liquid fortransmitting heat to ebb and to flow between one part of the system andanother part thereof in a regulated manner;4

A refrigerating system motivating a heat transferring liquid tocirculate within a space to be refrigerated at periods of predeterminedfrequency, and to continue to circulate until the temperature of suchspace has been reduced to a predetermined degree;

A refrigerating device energized by a sublimable refrigerant and inwhich the gas obtained by the sublimation of the refrigerant effects aperiodic shifting movement of a liquid heat conducting medium; and

A self -operating refrigerating device of the type in which there is aperiodic circulation of a heat transferring liquid possessing asimplified and improved structure.

These, and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, are obtained bythe novel construction, unique arrangement, and improved combination ofthe several elements that constitute the invention, one form of which isillustrated somewhat schematically in the accompanying single sheet ofdrawings, hereby made a part of this specification, and in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a two compartment refrigerating deviceembodying the subject matter of the present invention, a front covermember that is employed therein being removed; and

Figure 2 is a vertical section of the device illustrated in Figure ltaken on the lines 2 2 thereof.

Like reference characters are used in the drawing and throughout thefollowing description to designate similar parts of the illustratedapparatus.

(Cl. (i2-91.5)

'Ihe two figures in the drawing may be read conjointly. The entireapparatus is housed in a cabinet having walls of suitable insulatingmaterial and structure. The insulated cabinet I0 is divided into twocompartments. One compartment II has an opening or door aperture I2 andencloses a refrigerant holding box I3. Box or container I3 is sealed byan air tight cover or member 4I. The aperture in compartment II isclosed by a cover member I 4 of any suitable struc- 10 ture, butpreferably of a character similar to the walls of cabinet I0. Y

Separated from compartment I I by an insulating wall I5 is a secondcompartment I6 having a door or cover opening I1. Opening I1 is closed15 by a cover I8 of suitable construction, preferably like that ofcabinet I0. Compartment I6 is used for the storage of food and the likethat is to be refrigerated.

A reservoir or tank I9 for a heat transferring 20 liquid is suitablydisposed in the compartment I6, preferably in the upper part thereof.

At a lower level than reservoir I9 an in compartment II is a second tankor reservoir 20. Tank generally is disposed upon or at the under 25 sideof the refrigerant containing chamber I3.

Tank I9 from time to time receives the selected heat transferringliquid. The heat transferring liquid may be 'a brine of calcium chlorideor it may be any other suitable liquid. The brine or heat transferliquid should be of such character that it will not freeze Within thetank 20. To prevent freezing, insulation either by spacing the walls ofthe container I3 from the top wall of the tank 20 or by the use ofinsulated strips with- 35 in the container I3, may be desirable.

The capacity of tank I9 is larger than that of tank 20 or, if preferred,tank I9 may be supplemented by a reservoir tank that is not shown, theextra capacity of tank I9 or the employment 40 of such supplemental tankmaking it possible that the entire contents of tank 20 may be collectedin tank I9 (or in tank I9 and its supplemental tank) without overflow.

The under side or lower wall of box I3 is of a 45 suitable heatconducting material. 'I'he upper side or wall of tank 20 may be theunder wall of container I3, or the tank 20 may have an upper wall incontact with or spaced from the under wall of box I3 as desired. Theproximity of contact 50 between the under wall of box I3 and the upperwall of tank 20, in part, determines the rate of heat transfer from arefrigerant 20a, which is contained in the box I3 and the brine or heattransfer liquid in tank 20. The rate of heat transfer may also beregulated by the physical characteristics of a single element comprisingthe lower wall of box I3 and the upper wall of tank 20. 'I'he characterof the material in the two walls of elements I3 and 20, when two wallsare used, also aiects the rate of heat transfer. Usually box I3 and tank20 are each of metal and such metal possesses a high heat conductivity.When desired, the two walls may be spaced apart to provide a limitedamount of air insulation therebetween or insulating sheets may bedisposed upon the upper face of the lower wall of the chamber I3 tosupport the refrigerant 20a to concurrently reduce the rate of heattransfer between the materials in box I3 and tank 20.

A conduit 2| that extends through an aperture 22 in the wall I5 providesalways open communication between the tanks I9 and 20. Preferablyconduit 2| is disposed in the bottom of the tank I9 to allow forcomplete drainage of the heat transfer liquid therefrom. The other endof conduit 2I may terminate in the bottom of tank 20. In any event, suchterminal of conduit 2| should be adjacent the bottom of tank 20 in orderthat all of the heat transfer liquid or substantially all of suchliquid, may be discharged from the tank 26 by way of the conduit 2| intothe tank I9 when gas pressure applied to the upper surface of the heattransfer liquid contained in the tank 26 has reached a suicient degreeto lift such liquid to tank I9.

The upper tank I9 has a breather. The breather comprises a conduit 23.The mouth of conduit 23 is connected to the tank I9 in a plane abovethat which the heat transfer liquid may reach when forced into tank lsfrom tank 2o.

Thus, breather 23 will be always open to the atmosphere which is abovethe liquid content of the tank I9. 'I'he other end of breather 23 opensinto compartment II at the exterior of the box I3 therein, andpreferably in a plane above the level of the tank 20.

Breather 23 is an escape for air which but for the presence of breather23 would be entrapped 4in tank I9 as the heat transfer liquid is forcedinto said tank through conduit 2|. Such air, chilled to a degree by theheat transfer liquid forced in the tank I9, escapes into chamber II.Chamber I I is chilled by container I3 and by tank -20 therein.

Compartment II has an escape or safety valve 50 which opens into aconduit 5I extending through one of the walls of the container orcabinet I0. As illustrated, conduit 5l extends through the top wall ofthe cabinet but conduit 5I may be disposed elsewhere if desired. 'I'hevalve 50 shown is spring controlled. A relatively light pressure withinthe chamber II opens said valve. Opening of the valve allows excess airor gas to escape directly to the atmosphere surrounding box I0. Thevalve 50 effectively prevents the admission of atmospheric air to thecabinet II from the outside under any normal condition of deviceoperation.

. Compartment I3, preferably adjacent its top, opens into a conduit 24.A T-shaped head 25 is disposed in conduit 24. Conduit 24 has therein avalve member 26. An exhaust passage 21 extends from the valve 26. Whenvalve 26 is closed, the course of gas generated in the container I3 isinto the tank 29. When the valve 26 is open the gas in container I3 ifunder a. pressure exceeding that of the atmosphere of compartment I Iwill escape from the box I3 through the exhaust passage 2l and into thecompartment II.

As previously indicated, if there is an excessive pressure of gas incompartment I I, such pressure will be reduced by the escape of suchexcess gas through the valve 50 and conduit 5I.

The escape of exhaust gas from box I3 into compartment II is effectiveto reduce the temperature of the chamber vI I. The low temperature thusobtained reduces the heat losses through the Walls of the container I3and of tank 20, which heat losses occur if chamber II contains a warmatmosphere.

Valve 26 has a valve seat 29 about the passage way 21. An aperturedblock 36 is disposed opposite to the valve seat 29. The aperture inblock 30 is a bearing for a valve stem 3I. The upper end of stem 3I hasa head 3Ia. The head 3Ia is mounted for movement against seat 29. At theunder side of the block 30 is a solenoid 32 which is effective toactuate an armature 33. The armature 33 is a. weight upon the valve stem3I. Movement of armature 33 under the iniiuence of solenoid 32 isupwardly, hence when solenoid 32 is energized, valve head 3Ia is againstseat 29 closing valve 26. Armature 33 is at its lowermost position whensolenoid 32 is unenergized. Valve 26, therefore, is open save when thesolenoid 32 is energized. k

Beneath the solenoid 32, as is shown schematically in Figure 1, is acycle determinator 34. Determnator 34 is adapted to automatically openand to close an electriccircuit that includes electrical conductors 35and 36 leading to the solenoid 32. 'I'he cycle determinator 34 possessesthe characteristic of breaking the circuit to the solenoid 32 atpredetermined intervals and of closing the circuit after such circuithas been open for a predetermined period. The normal position of thecycle determinator closes the circuit to the solenoid 32. An opencircuit to the solenoid is produced by the cycle determinator when ithas been heated a predetermined period of time. After the cycledeterminator 34 has opened the circuit, the cycle determinator cools.'I'he rapidity of cooling of the cycle determinator may be regulated andhence the period that the cycle determinator 34 maintains the circuit tothe solenoidl 32 open is capable of regulation, and is predeterminatelyregulated for any specific cycle of operations.

A circuit including the conductors 35 and 36 extends from the cycledeterminator 34 to a switch 38 which is disposed in a convenientposition in compartment I6. A thermostatic element 39 in the chamber I6is operatively connected to the switch 38. Energy for the electriccircuit including the switch 38 and conductors 35 and 36 is obtained byconnecting a standard electrical xture 40 to any suitable outlet.

'I'he operation of the device which has been described is substantiallyas follows.

'I'he refrigerating apparatus at the outstart will be at roomtemperature. Brine or any other suitable heat transferring liquid ispoured into the liquid circulating system. The volume of such liquidshould be suiicient to fill or substantially fill the tank 20. Thefixture 49 is inserted into a suitable outlet.

The cycle determinator at this time is in its normal or closed position.As the refrigerating device is at room temperature, the thermostaticelement 39 will maintain the switch 38 closed. The circuit at theinstant before electrical energy is tapped will be with the valve 26open. Immediately energy is tapped, the valve 26 will close and thecycle determinator will begin to function.

The cycle determinator will maintain the circuit' to the solenoid 32closed for a predetermined period of time, and thereafter open suchcircuit for another predetermined period of time.

Refrigerant 28a will be inserted into compartment I3 and the compartmentclosed by its cover 4I. Compartment II will be closed by its cover I4.Immediately, a heat transfer between the brine in tank 20 and thecontainer I3 chilled by refrigerant 20a will begin. Such heat transfer,at the outstart, will cause a relatively rapid sublimation of therefrigerant 28a. Gas pressure will be built up in the container I3. Thesublimate will fill the container I3 and impress itself upon the topsurface of the heat transfer liquid in tank 28. The pressure of thesublimate will force the heat transfer liquid upwardly through theconduit 2I into the tank I9. The heat transfer liquid will flow upwardlyinto the tank I9 and remain in tank I9 so long as cycle determinator 34maintains the circuit to the solenoid 32 closed. AThe air forced out ofthe tank I9 will collect in compartment II. If the pressure in thecompartment exceeds that of the atmosphere external to cabinet I8 andthat of the spring in valve 50, the excess air and gas in compartment IIwill escape to the atmosphere by conduit 5I.

When the cycle determinator has reached the end of its first cycle, itwill open the circuit to the solenoid 32, and the armature 33 will drop,opening the valve 26. When the valve 26 opens, the confined gas in boxI3, conduit 24, and tank 28 escapes into the chamber II by way ofpassage 21. The escape of such gas into compartment II generally opensthe valve 59 and allows the escape of any excess gas through the conduit5I. The gas as it escapes by way of the conduit 24 and passage 2'I coolsthe atmosphere in chamber II and thus reduces' the heat losses from thewalls of the container I3 and tank 28 into the atmosphere within thecompartment I I.

Should the cycle determinator 34 maintain the valve 26 closed asuflicient time for a transfer of the entire contents of the tank 28 tothe tank I9, the gas which is generated in the chamber I3 thereafterwill flow through the tank 28 and conduit 2I, bubbling through the brinecontents of tank I9. Such gas will thus escape into the compartment IIby way of the breather 23. Should the amount of such gas be suiiicientto unseat the valve 58, such gas will escape to the atmosphere by way ofconduit `5I. No harm, therefore, may result from the cycle determinatorbeing slow of operation.

The period during which the circuit to the solenoid 32 is open may berelatively brief. It may be suilicient only to allow complete escape ofthe charging gas by way of conduit., 24 and passage 21 and theconcurrent gravitational flow of the heat transfer liquid from tank I9into tank 20. When the brine has again collected in tank 20, the cycledeterminator 34 closes the circuit to the solenoid 32, energizing thearmature 33 and closing the valve 28, whereupon the sublimate from therefrigerant is collected in box I3, expands into the conduit 24 to thetank 28, and forces the heat transfer liquid from the tank 20 and intothe tank I9 to cool the chamber or compartment I6.

Escape of the pressure producing sublimate into the compartment IIequalizes the pressure within the interior of the chamber container I3and the compartment I I. This permits of a rapid downward fiowof theheat transfer liquid from the tank I9 to the tank 28 even though the gaswhich has escaped into chamber I I may be in the course of dischargethrough valve 88 and conduit 5I, or may raise the pressure incompartment II above that of the outside atmosphere.

The opening and-closing of the circuit by the cycle determinator 34tothe solenoid 32 continues until a temperature in the compartment I6 isreduced to predetermined level. The brine which ows from the tank 28into the tank I9 is in heat transfer relationship with the atmosphere inthe compartment I6. Such brine therefore cools the atmosphere within thecompartment I6 and concurrently absorbs heat from any article that maybe stored therewithin.

When the temperature in compartment I8 has reached the previouslymentioned predetermined level the thermostatic element 39 becomeseffective to open the switch 38. When switch 38 is opened, the circuitto the cycle determinator is broken and also to the solenoid 32. Theopening of the switch 38 which de-energizes the solenoid 32 allows thearmature 33 to drop, the drop of which opens the valve 26 and allowsescape of all compressing sublimate from container I3 into compartmentII. The sublimate is then free to escape to the outside atmosphere ifthe pressure in compartment I I is suiiicient to unseat valve 58.

Immediately all brine flows down conduit 2| from tank I9 and into thetank 20 to remain in heat transfer relationship with the under side ofcompartment I3. Such heat transfer liquid is continuously chilled by therefrigerant 28a to make it ready for future use, the chilling continuinguntil and when the temperature of compartment I6 rises above apredetermined level. When such temperature rises, it affects thethermostatic element 39 which closes the switch 38 to again energize thecycle determinator 34 and armature 33 to cause the apparatus to functionin the manner hereinabove described.

As the valve 28 is solenoid operated, it opens and closes with greatrapidity. The closing movement of the valve is positive. The opening ofthe valve has the aid of the pressure in the tank container I3. Thepossibility or probability of having a partly closed valve thus isreduced to a minimum. No valves are employed within the brinecirculating system, hence it is substantially impossible for any portionofthe apparatus to become broken or inoperative, or to get out of order.

The two moving parts, the armature and valve closing member, movetogether and comprise a unit. There are no other moving parts in theapparatus, saving the cycle determinator 34 and the switch 38. Theapparatus, therefore, is simple, inexpensive to build, and possesses along life.

What is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:

1. A refrigerating device comprising upper and lower tanks, a conduittherebetween, a breather for the upper of said tanks, a container' for asublimable refrigerant in heat transfer relationship with the lower ofsaid tanks, and means connected to said container for periodicallydirecting the sublimate from such refrigerant into said lower tank.

2. In a refrige'rating device, upper and lower tanks, a conduittherebetween, a breather for the upper of said tanks, a container for asublimable refrigerant, a conduit from said container to the lower ofsaid tanks, valve means in said latter mentioned conduit, and means forperiodically opening and closing said valve. Y

3. The combination with connected tanks for a heat transfer liquid, acontainer for a sublimable refrigerant, said container having means forperiodically emptying its sublimate content into the first of said tanksfor forcing such heat trans-` fer liquid out of said tank into thesecond of said tanks, the second of said tanks havingescape means forair and gas.

4. In combination, a container for a sublimable refrigerant, a tank fora heat transfer liquid, means for periodically connecting said containerand tank to discharge the sublimate from said container into said tank,andmeans for recov erlng the liquid forced out of said tank by suchsublimate. Y

5. In combination, upper and lower tanks for a heat transfer liquid, aconduit between said tanks, a container for a sublimable refrigerant, aconduit between said container and the lower of said tanks, a housingfor saidv lower tank and said container, and an air and gas conduit froml the upper tank to said housing.

6. In combination, upper and lower tanks for a heat transfer liquid, aconduit for liquid therebetween, a container for a sublimablerefrigerant in heat transfer relationship to the lowerv of said tanks, agas conduit between said container and the lower of said tanks, ahousing for said lower tank and said container, and an air and gasconduit from the upper tank into said housing.

'1. In combination, upper and lower tanks for brine, a brine conduittherebetween, separate housings for said tanks, a breather from theupper tank and opening in the housing for the lower tank, a containerfor a sublimable refrigerant in the housing for said lower tank, and agas conduit from said container to said lower tank for discharging thegas collected in lsaid container into said lower tank.

8. In combination, upper and lower brine tanks, a brineconduittherebetween., an enclosing housing for said brine tanks, abreather extending in the upper tank and opening into the housing forsaid lower tank, a container for a sublimable refrigerant in the housingfor said lower tank, said container being in heat transfer relationshipto said lower tank, a gas conduit from said container to said lower tankfor discharging gas collected in said container into said lower tank,and a valve in said gas conduit for periodically releasing the gascollected in said container directly into the housing for said lowertank.

9. In combination, upper and lower tanks for brine or the like, a brineconduit therebetween, enclosing housings for said tanks, a container fora sublimable refrigerant in the housing for said lower tank and in heattransfer relationship with said tank, a gas conduit from said containerto said lower tank, a valve in said conduit for releasing gas collectedin said container into the housing for said lower tank, a breather forsaid upper tank also emptying into said housing for said lower tank, andvalve means in said lower tank for the escape of excess gas from thehousing for said lower tank.

said lower tank, a valve in said gas conduit, and

periodically actuated valve closing means operably connected with saidvalve.

11. In combination, upper and lower brine tanks, a conduit between saidltanks, a breather extending from the upper of said tanks, the capacityof said upper tank being greater than that of the lower tank, acontainer for a sublimable refrigerant in heat transfer relationship tothe lower of said tanks, a gas conduit between said container and saidlower tank, a valve in said conduit, and means actuated at predeterminedintervals of time independent of temperature conditions in said tank foropening and closing said valve.

12 In combination, upper and lower tanks for brine, a conduit betweensaid tanks, a breather for the upper tankya container for a sublimablerefrigerant in heat transfer relationship to the lower of said tanks, agas conduit between-said container and the lower of said tanks, a valvein said conduit, means operable independent of temperature conditions insaid tanks and container for opening and closing said valve at pre--determined intervals of time, and means con'- trolled by the temperatureabout one of said tanks for rendering said valve opening and closingmeans inoperable. t v

13. In combination, upper and lower brine tanks, a conduit therebetween,insulating housings for said tanks, a container for a sublimablerefrigerant in the housing for the lower of said tanks,l a breather fromthe upper of said tanks to the housing for the lower of said tanks, agas conduit between the container for the refrigerant and the lowerofsaid tanks, a valve in said gas. conduit, periodically actuated meansfor opening and closing said valve, the actuation of said means beingindependent of the tempera- 'ture of said tanks, container, andcompartments,

and a means for rendering said periodically actuated means inoperable,said latter means being controlled by the temperature within one of saidhousings.

- 14; In combination, upper and lower tanks for brine, a conduittherebetween, housings for said tanks, a container for a sublimablerefrigerant in heat transfer relation with the lower of said tanks andcontained 'in the housing for saidlower tank, a gas conduit from saidcontainer to the lower of vsaid tanks, a valve in said conduit, saidvalve when opened freeing the gaseous content of said container into thehousing for said lower tank, a breather for the upper of said .tanks andalso opening into the housing for said lower tank, means for closing andopeningsaid valve each for a predetermined period of time, said openingand closing means being operable independently of the temperature of thebrine in said tanks, the temperature in said container and thetemperature in said housings, and a thermostatically controlled means inthe housing for the upper of said tanks for rendering said valve openingand closing means inoperative.

15. In combination, upper and lower tanks for brine, a conduit betweensaid tanks, housings for said tanks, a breather for the upper of saidtanks, a container for a sublimable refrigerant in the housing of thelower of said tanks, a conduit from the said container to said lowertank, a valve in said conduit, a solenoid for actuating said valve,means for periodically energizing said solenoid, and a thermostaticallycontrolled switch in the housing for the upper of said tanks, saidswitch being operable to open the circuit to said solenoid when apredetermined level of temperature has been obtained in said housing forthe upper of said tanks.

16. A refrigerating device comprising upper and lower tanks, a conduittherebetween, heat transfer liquid normally in the lower ot said tanks,a breather for the upper of said tanks, a container for a sublimablerefrigerant in heat transfer relationship with the lower of said tanks,a sublimating refrigerant in said container adapted to produce a gaspressure higher than atmospheric, and ymeans for periodically exertingthe gas pressure of said sublimating refrigerant upon the heat transferliquid in said lowertank causing the said heat transfer liquid to riseto said upper tank. v

VIRGINIUS W. MOODY.

